Understanding the Relationship Between Density and Neighbourhood Environmental Quality – A Framework for Assessing Indian Cities

Abstract

The paper brings forth key issues concerning environmentally sustainable development of cities in the wake of rapid urbanization and shows the pathway for future sustainable cities of India. Studies reveal that around the world smaller cities are going to accommodate a larger number of people in the future and be the engines of economic growth and development. A thorough study to ascertain intra-city residential patterns is undertaken. It is perceived that to establish a relationship between residential patterns based on built-forms, distribution of dwelling units, population distribution, etc. (collectively known as physical density) and environmental quality, it is quintessential that local environmental problems are studied at the neighbourhood level. Following this, the terms density and environmental quality are defined and common measures adopted to describe the different types of physical density and indicators to assess neighbourhood environmental quality (NEQ) are identified. The literature review reveals that studies taking into account physical aspects of the built environment and their impact on urban environmental quality (UEQ) are sparse especially in the Indian context, thus justifying the scope of the work. The study concludes with the discussion of impacts of increasing density on environmental quality and identification of a set of variables as emerging from the literature review to help formulate an adaptive indicator framework for assessing NEQ in Indian cities.

Review of open space rules and regulations and identification of specificities for plot-level open spaces to facilitate sustainable development: An Indian case

“…Earlier research shows that more FSI leads to higher density scenarios, reducing per capita open space and compromising quality [39][40][41][42][43]. While planning at the site level, the study shows that density parameters significantly affect the per capita open space.…”

Impact of Physical Density on Nature and Use of Open Spaces: A Pilot Study of Two Residential Areas from Jaipur, India

“…Taking this further, nature and use of open spaces (NUOS) is defined by types of open spaces (such as parks, playgrounds, streets, squares or dead ends), condition of the open spaces (whether they are maintained, unmaintained or encroached), naturalness (measured in terms of tree coverage, green, paved or metaled surfaces), level of cleanliness (domestic waste disposal, sewerage and drainage), activity intensity (number of people per unit area), activity diversity (number of different types of activities as a ratio of the population) and walkability (the condition of sidewalks, street lights, open space and proximity to daily needs) [ 14 ].…”

“…Public ground area consisting of streets (carriageways and footpaths) and parks available to each resident of the area is also instrumental in establishing how good or bad the locality is. The study by Dutta et al [ 14 ] shows that building byelaws/regulations with respect to FAR, plot coverage, setbacks, etc. varies across Indian cities.…”

Application of High Density Resistivity Method in Karst Exploration: A Case Study

“…Since then, the Chinese government has begun to pay attention to geological survey, and field scholars have increased understandings of the geophysical exploration methods. Per the requirements of various engineering and construction works in the country, the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources took the lead in carrying out research on high density resistivity method and its applications [12][13][14][15]. In both theory and practice, field scholars have discussed this method and solved a few difficulties related to it, also, some devices that fit the requirements at that time have been developed according to these research achievements [16][17][18].…”